The State’s case against double-murder accused Pardon Danhire and Frederick Stapelberg took a dramatic turn on February 18.

Danhire pleaded guilty to all charges against him, effectively admitting to the killings. He is accused of murdering Nadine Terblanche (32) and her son, Ruandré Vorster (nine), in November 2023.

Zimbabwean-born Pardon Danhire, accused number one, voluntarily entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State as per Section 105-A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Plea agreements usually speedily conclude cases and save State resources.

Danhire and his lawyer confirmed the plea at Tuesday’s court hearing, where the presiding judge asked, “Mr Danhire, do you understand the seriousness of the charges against you? Do you agree that you entered into this plea agreement voluntarily, in your sober mind and without coercion?”

Danhire responded, “Yes, my lord. I understand the charges and was not forced into this agreement.”

The judge asked Danhire’s lawyer, “Did your client enter into this agreement in his sober mind and without coercion? And did you explain to him what this agreement means?”

Advocate Buthelezi from Legal Aid Johannesburg said, “Yes, my lord, my client understands the implications of these charges and the plea and sentencing agreement.”

The judge read the sentence, “Mr Danhire, you are hereby convicted for counts one and two.

Count one: premeditated murder – your sentence is 25 years imprisonment. Count two: premeditated murder – your sentence is 25 years imprisonment, suspended for five years. Your sentences will run concurrently. Do you understand, Mr Danhire?” Again, Danhire said, “Yes, my lord. I understand.”

In the agreement, Danhire admits to being offered R100 000 by Stapelberg, Nadine’s boyfriend at the time of the murders, to kill the Alberton mother and son.

“I hacked Nadine with an axe on the head. I then went outside and called Ruandré to his room, where I suffocated him with a pillow. I went back to check if Nadine was dead but found her still shaking. I then proceeded by strangling her until she stopped moving,” read the plea agreement.

The agreement also states that Danhire will turn State witness in the case against Stapelberg.

Danhire is married and has children. He moved to SA in 2018 from Zimbabwe, searching for a better life. He has no violent history and was found to have been driven by greed to commit the murders.

However, the court ruled that he meets the requirements of Section 105-A agreements. Danhire must also fully co-operate with the State moving forward. That is one of the conditions of the agreement.

Separation of trials (Stapelberg vs the State)

As the alleged mastermind and accused two in the case, Stapelberg pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. He faces four charges – two of attempted murder and two of premeditated murder – but claims he is innocent. The judge ruled that he would be tried separately.

Stapelberg’s case was postponed until March 5 for him and his lawyer to consult. He remains in custody.

Nadine’s mother in court

Carol Terblanche, mother to Nadine and grandmother to Ruandré, was in court when the sentences against Danhire were handed down.

The State consulted her about the Section 105-A agreement. She agreed with the State and signed off on it.

Section 105-A agreements demand that family members of crime victims be consulted and their views considered.

Carol sat in the public gallery and watched the proceedings in court. She broke into tears when State advocate Riana Williams read out the details of what happened on November 27, 2023, the day her daughter and grandson were murdered.

Carol had previously told the Alberton Record, “I am satisfied with how the case has gone so far and am pleased to hear Danhire will enter into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.”

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